THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RELEASE
(ABOVE) Danville Fire Chief Aaron Marcott speaks at a recent swearing in ceremony.
A Pair of Weekend Fire Events:
The first event occurred on Friday morning September 08, 2023.
Firefighters were dispatched at 06:43 AM to 940 Fera Street for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the building. Two occupants had escaped from the burning residence and were standing in the front yard upon the fire departments arrival. The occupants reported to the first arriving crew that another individual may be in the home. Firefighters proceeded to enter the home and begin a search. No additional victims were found. Firefighters worked for several minutes to locate and extinguish the fire.
Initial damage estimates to the property and contents were estimated at $17,500.
The Fire was ruled out at 0745 am.
Ameren arrived on scene to secure all the utilities to the home.
The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The State Fire Marshal was contacted to assist the Danville Fire Department with fire cause.
The Fire Department cleared the scene at 11:37 am.
The Second Fire event occurred on Saturday, September 09, 2023.
Firefighters were dispatched at 6:10 AM to a reported residence on fire on the North side of Fairchild Street near the overpass. First arriving units reported heavy black smoke coming from the area under the bridge with no known exact location. The first arriving fire unit was directed by Danville Police Officers to a large warehouse located under the overpass. The correct address would later be determined to be 809 E. Fairchild Street.
Firefighters encountered thick black smoke that obscured their vision and made entry into the location difficult. First arriving firefighters began fighting the fire while additional units arrived to the scene.
For a brief period of time during the fire, the Fairchild Overpass had to be shut down to allow the departments Ladder Truck to work from the bridge to assist with extinguishing the fire. Firefighters used multiple hand lines to control the fire, eventually the building was determined to unsafe to enter and equipment was brought in to assist firefighters with extinguishing the fire.
The fire was ruled under control at 9:43 AM. A search of the building was performed.
Initial damage estimates are set at $46,000 dollars.
Fire Cause remains under investigation.
Ameren was brought to the scene to secure utilities.
All fire units cleared the scene 12:30 PM
